Page 30 of Trusting Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #8)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lexie

I run my finger over my dresser. Well, I guess it’s not mine. My parents didn’t give me all of my things. No furniture, only the stuff that was easily packed away in a box.

“You guys didn’t have to go to all this trouble. You could have put these boxes in storage, and I could have slept on the couch.”

Elizabeth sits on the bed. “Lexie …”

“Not that I don’t appreciate it. I do. I really do.” I twirl around the room. It’s less than half the size of my old one, but this one is better. It’s cozy. It feels like it’s filled with love. “I’m going to enjoy my time here. Thank you.”

JD grabs me by the shoulder lightly. “You’re welcome. That’s the Lexie I want to hear more from. We want you to be comfortable here. This is your home for as long as you need it to be.”

“You better put a limit on her, or she’ll never want to leave. I kinda want to be her roommate someday,” Ash teases.

JD turns me to face him. “No limits. You’re always welcome here.” My cheeks heat at Ash’s bold admission, but JD pays him no mind. “We’ll let you get settled in.”

Elizabeth and JD leave me to it. Ash lingers in the doorway. “I should probably get going too, but I’ll be back for supper. JD put me in charge of the grill tonight.” He laughs, flashing me a bright smile.

“Yeah, I’ve got a lot of unpacking to do.”

He continues to stare at me like he’s waiting for something. He takes it to the point of awkwardness before he gives me a clue. “Are you going to come over here and give me a kiss goodbye?”

I glance over his shoulder. “You want me to kiss you here?” I ask quietly.

He taps his lips. “Right here to be exact.”

My stomach flutters with memories of his mouth on me. His warm, soft yet demanding lips …

His evil chuckle pulls me from the past with a promise of the future.

Hesitantly, I tiptoe around the boxes on the floor, stopping in front of him. His hand rubs against the side of my neck, instantly calming me. Then his fingers wrap around my chin, lifting my face, so he can convey how much he’s going to miss me. I echo every syllable.

A few seconds later, he pulls away. “I’ll see you after a bit.”

I nod like a fool in love as he backs away. As soon as he leaves the house, I rush to the window to watch him leave.

“Do you need help?” Elizabeth asks from behind me.

For some reason I jump, embarrassed to have been caught creeping on Ash.

She laughs lightly. “It looks like you two had a good weekend.”

“Yeah, it was nice. Um, sure, I could use some help.”

A short time later, I realize I don’t have room for all of this stuff. I don’t need much of it, nor do I really want it.

“Do you think I could borrow the truck?” I ask Elizabeth as she flips through my record collection.

“You’ve got some amazing music. You dabble in a little bit of everything, don’t you? But yeah, you can borrow the truck. Why do you need it?”

“I think I’m going to take most of this to town and donate it.”

She glances around the room. “I know there’s not much space, but we could store some of it in the basement.”

“That’s okay. I’m ready to simplify my life.”

“You sure? We can make it work. There’s plenty of room downstairs.”

A smile begins to tug at my cheeks because I believe her. She would make it work for me. “I’m positive. It’s time for me to start creating the life I want for myself.”

“That sounds like a plan. Let’s get started.”

The next few hours are some of the best of my life. I don’t know why I love it here so much. That’s not entirely true. I know why; it’s because of the people in it. Why I’ve become so attached to them is a mystery, but that’s okay. I don’t need to understand everything.

JD loads up the last box in the back of the truck for me.

“I’ll be right back. Thanks for letting me use your truck.”

“I’ll go with you.” He shuts the tailgate then heads to the passenger side. Elizabeth waves from the front porch as he opens the door, ushering me inside.

“You don’t trust my driving, do you?”

He chuckles but doesn’t disagree. When he gets in, he rests his arms over the steering wheel. “Are you sure about this because …”

“I know. I know. There’s room in the basement,” I say, rolling my eyes.

My response seems to placate him, and he starts the engine. “You aren’t keeping very much.”

“I only kept what I needed, but I did keep a few sentimental things. Don’t worry. There’s nothing in there I’ll regret letting go of.”

“It’s hard for me, you know? I attach sentimental value to everything,” he admits.

“I get it.”

He glances at me a few times and then sighs. “I’m sorry about dragging you up to that mountain and then ditching you. I’ve been feeling really bad about it, but Elizabeth had friends coming to visit.”

I shrug. “No worries. I think the people who were meant to be there were.” He doesn’t look offended, but that didn’t come out right. “I mean, not that they are better than you …”

He chuckles. “I didn’t take offense. I’m just glad my friends could help you.”

We pull up to the charity drop off and begin unloading the boxes of stuff I no longer want. An expensive car pulls up behind us, but JD pays it no mind.

The man driving rests his hand on his steering wheel, beckoning me with a single finger. My entire soul settles in the pit of my stomach. I walk over to him as he rolls down his window.

“Hey,” I say quietly, hoping he makes it quick before JD notices I’ve stepped away.

My dad’s boss pulls off his sunglasses, and his piercing blue eyes make me curl in on myself. “So, it’s true.” His gaze goes to JD briefly before landing on me. “You’ve shacked up with a bunch of bikers. I thought it was an office rumor. I had to drive over and see it for myself.”

JD notices I’ve left his side. I flash him with a big smile and a happy wave.

“Not a rumor,” I confirm tightly, leaning back on my heels. “Mom and Dad kicked me out, but I’ve got to get going. It was nice seeing you.”

I start to walk away as JD approaches. When I hear Graham open his car door, I pick up my step. “Lexie, wait,” he calls out.

JD grabs my arms and scans my face as soon as I get to him. Graham rushes up behind us. “Lex, I’m on your side. I just want to help.”

I turn to face him, but JD keeps me close.

My dad’s boss doesn’t hesitate. He extends his hand out to JD. “Hi, I’m Graham Dolan. Lexie’s dad works for my company. When I heard how awful he treated her, I had to come over and make sure she was okay.”

“JD.” He shakes Graham’s hand but doesn’t release me.

“Do you have a place to stay?” Graham asks, turning his focus back on me.

“She does,” JD answers shortly on my behalf.

“That’s great. I’m glad to see you have people looking out for you.” The look on his face tells me he’s anything but happy about it. He takes his phone out of his pocket. “I tried to call, but you must have a new number.”

My mouth goes dry. “Sorry. My parents had it disconnected,” I lie.

He shakes his head. “I’m so sorry, Lexie. I thought better of them.” He’s quiet for a moment, standing with his hands in his pockets. “Why don’t you let me get you a new one?”

“Oh, that’s okay …”

JD cuts me off. “You can have my number if you need to reach her.”

Graham covers his hand over his chest as if JD wounded him. “Oh, oh, it’s not for my sake. I was just trying to be helpful. She’s going to need a phone, so she can start looking for a job.”

“I appreciate it, Mr. Dolan, but I’ll figure it out. You shouldn’t feel responsible for me. I’m an adult. I’ll be okay.”

I hold perfectly still as he chucks me under the chin.

“I know you will. You’ve always been a smart girl.

” He pauses. “I’ve got an even better idea.

The office here in town is looking for a receptionist. Before you say no, just think about it.

The pay is great, and it’s local. I’ll have the branch manager give you,” he pauses to look at JD, “or, I should say you , a call.”

JD reluctantly gives him his number, keeping his arm firmly around my waist.

“Thank you. I’ll definitely think about it.”

He places his hand on my bicep. “I’m glad you’re okay. You guys have a good evening.”

“You too,” I say, leaning into JD until Graham removes his hand.

JD doesn’t release me until he’s back in his car.

I don’t watch him drive away, I simply grab the last box, hoping JD doesn’t notice how flustered I really am. JD takes it from me.

“I got it. Why don’t you hop in?”

When he joins me, I apologize. “I’m sorry I made you do all the work. I had to say hi to my dad’s boss. I thought it would be rude if I didn’t.”

“No worries. I came along to help.”

“Really? I thought it was because of my subpar driving skills,” I joke, but JD doesn’t laugh. I clear my throat. “Anyway, it was nice he offered me a job.”

JD stares at the road, making me nervous. Is he mad at me? Does he know what I’ve done with Graham? Is it obvious? It can’t be. My own parents didn’t even notice.

“Maybe I should take him up on it. The office here is nice. I had to drop off some papers there for my dad one time. I mean, it’s small but …

” JD remains quiet as he listens to my ramblings.

“Like, Mr. Dolan doesn’t work there. His office is in Reno.

I think there are just a couple of women that work at the local branch. ”

I slide my hands under my legs and turn to look out the window. Maybe I should just shut up.

“You done?” he asks.

I shrug my shoulders. “Um, yeah, I guess.”

“There are plenty of places in this town to work. If you think his offer of employment was made in your best interest, then by all means consider it. I want you to use your intuition on this, Lex.”

“Okay, yeah, I will.”

Ash is standing at the grill when we pull in. I breathe a sigh of relief. I’ve missed him. I know it’s only been a few hours, but it’s felt much longer.

I impatiently wait for JD to round the truck to open my door for me. Sometimes this being a gentleman thing is for the birds.

My feet hit the dirt as soon as he has it open, but JD snags my arm before I can run to Ash. “I’m not done.”

I toss my head back and stare at the bright blue sky.

“I’m sorry you weren’t protected as a child, but I want you to understand that you’re no longer that little girl. You’ve grown into a strong woman. One who is capable of making good decisions for herself. She can also ask for help if she needs to, because she’s not alone anymore.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

“If not, I’m sure you’ll remind me,” I tease.

“You know it. Now go say hi to Ash, but don’t distract him too much. I don’t want burnt steak for supper.”

“Okay, Dad. ”